Chalcolithic Age in India

What is meaning of a Chalcolithic site?

Chalcolithic or Eneolithic period marks the use of the metals among which the Copper was first. Chalcolithic means use of copper and stone. Copper was probably the first metal used by humans and the period of Copper Age was from 1800-800 BC. Thus, chalcolithic period was transition between Stone Age and metal age. This was the period in which stone tools were losing their significance and copper tools were finding grounds.

When did Chalcolithic age start?

Around 6000 BC, the smelting of metals such as Copper began which was used for raw material to be used in tool production. Later, Tin was mixed with cooper and bronze appeared which stronger metal than both tin and copper was. Use of bronze for tools led to the invention of wheel which revolutionized transport and pottery production.

What are main features of Chalcolithic phase?

The economy of this period was based upon agriculture, stock raising, hunting and fishing. Limited number of Copper and bronze tools have also been recovered. The presence of painted pottery is a hall mark of the Chalcolithic period. The burial practice was another striking feature and the dead were buried in a particular direction all over a particular area. The pottery ranges from Red ware , deep red ware to deep brown and black, Pictographic red and black and polished red.

What are main Chalcolithic cultures / sites of India?

Some important Chalcolithic cultures of India are as follows:

Ahara-Banas Culture

The sites of Ahar-Banas Culture were Aahar, balathal, Gilund etc in the vicinity of Banas river in Rajasthan. The distinctive feature is black and red ware.

Kayatha Culture

Located in Rajasthan near Chambal and its tributaries, the sturdy red slipped ware with chocolate designs is main feature.

Malwa Culture

Narmada & its tributaries in Gujarat. One of the largest Chalcolithic settlements. The largest site of the Chalcolithic period is Diamabad situated on the left bank of the Pravara River. Major sites of Malwa Culture include Daimabad, Inamgaon, Kayatha, Nagda, Vidisha, Eran, Mandsaur, and Navdatoli (near Maheshwar). A massive fortification wall and a moat have been discovered at Eran.

Svalda Culture

The well-known sites are in Dhulia district of Maharashtra.

Prabhas & Rangpur Culture

Both of them are derived from the Harappa culture. The polished red ware is the hall mark of this culture.

Jorwe Culture

Jorwe is a village and an archaeological site located on the banks of the Godavari River in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. This site was first was excavated in 1950-51 under the direction of Hasmukh Dhirajlal Sankalia and Shantaram Bhalchandra Deo.

Chalcolithic sites belonging to the Jorwe culture (ca. 1300–700 BCE) have been discovered throughout Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and other states.  The key features of this culture include red pottery, generally with matt surface bearing paintings in black.

What is difference between Chalcolithic Age and Harappan Culture?

Today it is considered part of Stone Age but there is no clear cut distinctions. Harappan culture is identified by bronze an alloy of copper and tin and sometimes other metals. Hence it was highly advanced than chalcolithic period. Stone tools were completely replaced by bronze and copper in harappan culture. All aspects of society intellectual, religious, social, economic, political and military(security) were equally advance.